State denies funding for Interfaith winter shelter

ESCONDIDO -- For the second year in a row, the city's winter
homeless shelter did not receive a $53,000 state grant that pays
half the cost to operate the facility, leaving organizers to plea
for public help and to consider a new location.

"We are trying to figure out how, in a time of declining
government funds, to manage this magic trick," said Suzanne Stewart
Pohlman, the executive director of Interfaith Community Services, a
nonprofit agency that runs the shelter out of the National Guard
Armory in Escondido. "The only solution is to turn to the public.
Interfaith has been the only consecutive provider of shelter in
this area for the last 18 years."

Officials announced Friday that the 100-bed shelter will not
receive funding from the state Emergency Housing and Assistance
Program to help with the $120,000 cost of the winter shelter,
Pohlman said. Interfaith also lost out on $60,000 in state money
last year. City and federal grants have been used for the other
half of the shelter cost, said Ron Milone, Interfaith's associate
director.

The state money was used at one time to pay the $375 per night
charge to use the National Guard Armory at 304 Park St.

Since Interfaith officials do not see signs of the state money
returning, they are considering relocating the winter shelter to a
large suite in their headquarters at 550 W. Washington Ave., Milone
said.

A tire shop now uses the space and is expected to leave next
month, so Interfaith officials are trying to determine if they
could be ready to house the 100-bed shelter there by Dec. 1, he
added.

"We have a committee set up to see what needs to happen," Milone
said. "We would need to be doing a quick rehabilitation. If we
can't accomplish that, we still have the armory lined up as a last
resort. We think that using our site here makes more sense
logistically and economically."

Milone said the city approached Interfaith about making the
switch.

Jerry Van Leeuwen, the city's community development block grant
director, confirmed that Interfaith has been talking with city
staff about possible new locations, but hadn't made any
decisions.

"We still have to work out what makes sense and what will work,"
Van Leeuwen said. "But we realize we have to do it soon."

Mayor Lori Pfeiler said she likes the idea of the move because
it allows Interfaith to make the winter shelter available 24 hours
a day, instead of the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. hours at the armory.

"The homeless get kicked out and hang around in the
neighborhood," she said. "Interfaith would be able to provide
24-hour service this way."

"It takes it out of the residential area," Gallo said. "With
Interfaith being where they are and having that big building, it's
not a bad idea."

Interfaith officials said they will open the shelter somewhere,
despite the lack of state money. They did just that last year,
scaring up enough donations to open for the usual 100 nights. The
nonprofit social service organization ultimately housed 593 North
County residents -- about 84 people per night -- from December to
March.

Earl Brown, an Escondido resident who slept in the homeless
shelter last year, said Interfaith must find a way to keep the
winter shelter open, whatever it takes.

"The winter shelter is important because it gives people a
chance to not be harassed by the cops twice a week while they're
trying to sleep," Brown wrote in an e-mail. "It gives them a hot
meal and gives them an incentive to stay sober, because you can't
go there if you've been drinking."

When the shelter opens, usually the first weekend in December,
homeless people must be free of drugs and alcohol and must show
valid identification to enter. When they are checked in, they will
be given a blanket, hygiene products, a foam mat for a bed, and a
hot meal.

Interfaith also gives them physical and mental health
screenings, showers and laundry services, counseling, and case
management to help find jobs and housing.

When the groggy visitors leave each morning at 6 a.m. Interfaith
gives their guests breakfast and lunch for the road, Pohlman
said.

Along with cash, Interfaith needs volunteers to serve the meals
and donate food, toiletries and towels, Pohlman added.

"We are hurting pretty badly," Pohlman said. "We need the cash
donations, but we also need all the items for support."

Donations can be given to Interfaith Community Services at its
headquarters, 550 W. Washington Ave., Suite B, in Escondido, or by
calling Interfaith at (760) 489-6380. For more information, visit
the Web site at www.interfaithservices.org.